If you’re craving a classic comfort food that hugs you from the inside out, this Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is exactly what you need. Creamy, hearty, and wrapped in flaky, buttery pastry on both top and bottom, it’s the ultimate cozy meal for any chilly day. I absolutely love how this turns out every single time, and once you try it, you’ll see why it’s a family favorite you’ll want to make again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Double crust goodness: The buttery top and bottom crusts give a perfect flaky texture that seals in all the creamy filling.
- Rich homemade filling: Tender chicken and veggies in a thick, savory gravy that you’ll want to eat by the spoonful.
- Made from scratch: Using a homemade pie crust really elevates the flavor and texture compared to store-bought.
- Comfort food classic: It’s the perfect dish to make ahead and reheat, feeding a crowd or enjoying delicious leftovers all week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe lies partly in the simple ingredients that come together to build such depth of flavor. Each one plays an important role, and when you use fresh, quality items like unsalted butter and homemade pie crust, it makes all the difference.
- Homemade or all butter pie crust: I always choose all butter for that rich, flaky texture—homemade is best, but store-bought works in a pinch.
- Chicken breast or thighs: Thighs provide more juiciness, but breast is leaner—both cube nicely and cook perfectly in the filling.
- Carrots: Add sweetness and color—fresh is best, sliced to cook evenly.
- Celery: Brings subtle earthy crunch and balances the richness.
- Unsalted butter: Essential for making the silky gravy and browning your onions.
- Yellow onion: Sweet and mild, it melts beautifully to deepen the flavor of the sauce.
- Garlic: Minced fresh gives a lovely bright kick without overpowering.
- All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the sauce into that luscious, gravy texture you want.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Balance and enhance every ingredient.
- Dried thyme leaves: This herb adds a cozy, woodsy note I can’t get enough of.
- Chicken broth or stock: I prefer reduced sodium so I can control the seasoning perfectly.
- Half-and-half: Gives creaminess and smooth richness but keeps it from being too heavy.
- Frozen peas: Just scatter them on top for a pop of color and sweetness.
- Egg wash (egg + milk): For that golden, glossy finish on the crust.
- Optional fresh thyme sprigs: Perfect for garnishing and adding that fresh herbal aroma as it comes out of the oven.
Variations
I love that this Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is totally customizable. Depending on what you have on hand or your dietary needs, you can tweak it easily without losing the soul-soothing magic.
- Use turkey instead of chicken: After Thanksgiving, I often swap in leftover turkey for an easy, festive twist that turns out just as delicious.
- Make it gluten-free: Try a gluten-free pie crust and use a gluten-free flour blend for thickening—you won’t miss a beat.
- Add mushrooms or corn: I sometimes throw in sautéed mushrooms or a handful of corn kernels to enhance the veggie medley and texture.
- Dairy-free option: Substitute coconut milk or your favorite creamy plant-based milk for half-and-half, and use a vegan pie crust.
How to Make Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Step 1: Get your pie crust ready
I always recommend making the pie crust the night before—or at least two hours ahead—so it’s perfectly chilled when you roll it out. This recipe makes two crusts, so you’ll have one for the bottom and one for the top layer. Chilling the dough is key for flaky pie crust, so don’t skip this step!
Step 2: Simmer the chicken and veggies
Place your cubed chicken, sliced carrots, and celery in a large pot and cover with water. Bring it to a boil and let it go for about 10 minutes—this cooks everything just right without making the chicken tough. Once cooked, drain the water and set the mixture aside. This extra step helps with flavor and texture, trust me!
Step 3: Make that rich, thick gravy
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and cook your chopped onions and garlic until the onions are translucent and you start to see some browning in the butter—it adds so much flavor here. Whisk in the flour, salt, pepper, and dried thyme to form a roux, then pour in the chicken broth and half-and-half. Keep whisking until smooth and simmer gently for about 10 minutes until it thickens up. Aim for a gravy thick enough to coat the back of a spoon—that’s when you know it’s perfect.
Step 4: Assemble your pie
Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Roll out the first dough disc on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle and carefully press it into your 9-inch pie dish, smoothing out any wrinkles. Trim off excess dough from the edges. Spoon in the chicken and vegetable mixture, scatter frozen peas over the top, then pour the thick gravy evenly across everything — this is where that velvety sauce locks all the flavors in.
Step 5: Top it off and bake
Roll out your second dough disc just like the first and lay it on top of the filling. Trim edges and crimp them with a fork so the pie is sealed tight. Cut a few small slits in the top crust to let steam escape, then brush the whole pie with your egg wash for that gorgeous golden shine. Pop it in the oven and bake for 32–38 minutes, but don’t forget to shield the edges after 20 minutes with foil or a pie shield to prevent over-browning. Let it cool for at least 10 minutes before diving in—believe me, patience pays off here.
Pro Tips for Making Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Chill everything properly: I learned that cold dough means flakier crust, so always chill the pie crust dough and keep your utensils cool if possible.
- Simmer the gravy well: Taking the extra 10 minutes to thicken the sauce prevents watery pie filling, which can ruin the crust’s texture.
- Protect the crust edges: Foil shields or pie crust shields are game-changers. I’ve had edges blacken without them, so this saved me every time.
- Don’t rush cooling: Let the pie rest before serving to make slicing easier and avoid a soupy mess on your plate.
How to Serve Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I like to add a few fresh thyme sprigs on top right after it’s out of the oven—that herbal aroma makes the experience feel special. Sometimes a sprinkle of chopped parsley adds a bright, fresh look that contrasts the golden crust beautifully.
Side Dishes
For sides, I usually keep it simple with a crisp green salad or steamed green beans—something light to balance the rich pie. Mashed potatoes or roasted root vegetables make great hearty companions if you want to go all out.
Creative Ways to Present
For holidays or dinner parties, I’ve served this pot pie in individual ramekins with mini pie crust lids—it’s adorable and makes everyone feel like they’re getting a personal serving. You can also use decorative pie crust cutouts on top for a cute festive touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
One of the best parts about this Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe is how well it keeps. I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and find that the flavors actually deepen after a day or two. The filling stays thick and creamy, making it a perfect next-day comfort meal.
Freezing
If you want to make it ahead for a busy week, freezing works great. I usually bake the pie without the egg wash on top, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze it. When ready to bake, let it thaw overnight in the fridge, brush with egg wash, and bake as usual for a fresh-from-the-oven taste.
Reheating
To reheat, I cover the pie with foil and warm it in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until heated through. This keeps the crust flaky and the filling bubbly—microwaving tends to make it soggy, so I avoid that when possible.
FAQs
-
Can I use store-bought pie crust for this Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe?
Absolutely! While I recommend homemade crust for the best flavor and flakiness, store-bought all-butter pie dough or refrigerated crusts can be convenient and still delicious. Just make sure to thaw them properly before rolling out.
-
What can I substitute for half-and-half in the filling?
You can substitute whole milk or heavy cream depending on how rich you want the filling. For dairy-free, coconut milk or almond milk mixed with a little nutritional yeast can work, but the texture will be slightly different.
-
How do I know when the pie filling is thick enough?
The filling is ready when it coats the back of a spoon and doesn’t run off quickly—think of a hearty gravy consistency. Simmer the filling longer if it seems too thin before assembling the pie.
-
Can I prepare this pot pie entirely ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the pie and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just cover it tightly with plastic wrap and take it out about 30 minutes before baking to let it come to room temperature for even cooking.
Final Thoughts
This Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe has a special place in my heart because it combines the warmth of home cooking with a bit of elegance from that flaky, buttery crust. If you haven’t made a pot pie from scratch before, this is the perfect one to try—it’s truly worth the effort and the leftovers are just as delightful. I can’t wait for you to enjoy this cozy classic as much as my family does—we’re always asking for seconds!
PrintDouble Crust Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 2 hr 50 min
- Cook Time: 35 min
- Total Time: 3 hr 25 min
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Double Crust Chicken Pot Pie is a comforting classic, perfect for cold weather. It features tender chicken, carrots, celery, and peas in a rich, creamy thyme-infused gravy, all encased in a flaky homemade all-butter pie crust. The recipe involves poaching the chicken and vegetables, making a thick gravy on the stovetop, and baking the pie until golden and bubbly, delivering a deliciously hearty meal perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- Homemade Pie Crust or All Butter Pie Crust (recipe makes 2 crusts, 1 for bottom and 1 for top)
Filling
- 1 pound (450g) skinless boneless chicken breast or thighs, cubed
- 1 cup (about 130g) sliced carrots (about 2 carrots)
- 1/2 cup (about 40g) sliced celery
- 1/3 cup (5 Tbsp; 71g) unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup (45g) chopped yellow onion (1/2 of a small onion)
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/3 cup (41g) all-purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 and 3/4 cups (420ml) chicken broth/stock, reduced sodium recommended
- 2/3 cup (160ml) half-and-half
- 1 cup (125g) frozen peas
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon (15ml) milk
Optional Garnish
- Sprigs of fresh thyme
Instructions
- Prepare Pie Crust: Follow your chosen pie crust recipe through step 5, including chilling dough for at least 2 hours. The crust makes two discs—one for the base and one for the top of the pie.
- Cook Chicken and Vegetables: In a large pot, combine cubed chicken, sliced carrots, and celery. Add enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and boil for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Make Gravy: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add chopped onion and garlic. Cook until onions are translucent and butter is lightly browned. Whisk in flour, salt, pepper, and thyme, followed by chicken broth and half-and-half. Stir and cook to eliminate lumps, then simmer over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens to a rich gravy. Adjust seasoning as desired and remove from heat.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 425°F (218°C) to prepare for baking the pie.
- Roll Out Bottom Crust: On a floured surface, roll one chilled dough disc into a 12-inch circle. Transfer it carefully into a 9-inch deep pie dish, smoothing and tucking the dough into place. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges.
- Assemble Filling: Spoon the poached chicken and vegetables into the crust. Sprinkle frozen peas evenly over the top. Pour the thickened gravy on top, spreading it evenly for a hearty filling.
- Cover with Top Crust: Roll out second dough disc as before and cover the pie. Trim edges, then crimp the crust edges with a fork to seal. Cut a few small slits on top for steam to escape. Brush the entire crust with the egg wash for a golden finish.
- Bake the Pie: Place pie in preheated oven and bake for 32 to 38 minutes, until the crust turns golden brown. After 20 minutes, shield the edges with foil or a crust protector to prevent over-browning.
- Cool and Serve: Remove pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs if desired. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days, reheating as needed.
Notes
- This double crust chicken pot pie is perfect for cold weather comfort food.
- Chilling the dough thoroughly improves crust flakiness and handling.
- After 20 minutes of baking, cover the crust edges with foil to prevent burning.
- Leftovers keep well for up to 5 days in the fridge and reheat beautifully.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, simmer it longer to achieve desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg